Odds ‘n Sods:

Charles Hugh Smith:  What Happens When the Electricity Is Off for Three Days? o o o SurvivalBlog Reader G.L. wrote to mention this Radio Free Redoubt podcast: Episode 16-40 Reconciling Christian Dual Citizenship, Patriotism, and Politics (You can scroll forward to the 35:20 mark to skip over some now dated news..) o o o Here is a useful primer: Travel Power Adapters: How to Choose




Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“What can be simpler or more accurately stated? The Mexican government is forcing their most unwanted people into the United States. They are, in many cases, criminals, drug dealers, rapists, etc. …Many fabulous people come in from Mexico and our country is better for it. But these people are here legally, and are severely hurt by those coming in illegally.” – Presidential Candidate Donald Trump




Notes for Tuesday – October 25, 2016

This is the birthday of explorer and pilot Admiral Richard Byrd (1888–1957). His autobiography titled Alone is a must-read. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 67 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Tactical Self-Contained 2-Series Solar Power Generator system from Always Empowered. This compact starter power system is packaged in a wheeled O.D. green EMP-shielded Pelican hard case (a $1,700 value), A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate that is good for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,195 value), A …




Letter: Advice for Rural Retirees

Dear Editor: My husband and I are older, he is 84 and I am 70.  We are very concerned about the way this country is traveling and are even more concerned if Hillary Clinton is elected.  I realize that we need to start gathering supplies and storing them.  My question is: we live in a small, rural, agricultural community. However, we live on a main road and are within 50 miles of two major cities and about 70 miles of another one.  Our economy took an unusually hard hit in 2008 and is recovering at a slower rate than many …




News From The American Redoubt:

An enormous 500MW wind farm could soon grace the fields of Eastern Oregon. The skyline in the region is already dominated by wind turbines, but this will mean seeing even more of them. The entire Northwest (both Pacific and Inland) is already a power exporter. Thus, it will be the most likely to see rapid islanding and then restoration of regional grid power, in the event of a collapse of the western grid. o o o This Spokane-based company is making news:  Stay Alfred: The biggest short-term rental startup you’ve never heard of is on track for $25M in revenue …




Economics and Investing:

Alasdair Macleod: Fiat Money And Gold. JWR’s Comment: A government simply cannot triple the money supply without it affecting wages, consumer prices, and commodity prices.  We are witnessing deflation now, but in the long term, mass inflation is inevitable. Be ready for both, folks. o o o Republican Trump says 70 percent of federal regulations ‘can go’ o o o Zero Hedge: Three Weird Consequences Of NIRP o o o SurvivalBlog and its editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for details.




Odds ‘n Sods:

Linda Y. suggested this great 24-minute video showing old-time carpentry skills, in Latvia: The Birth Of A Wooden House. The portion showing joinery was particularly interesting. Note the growth of their daughters, marking the considerable passage of time.  All in all, a very satisfying documentary! o o o Several readers sent this: Iceland, a land of Vikings, braces for a Pirate Party takeover o o o Commander Zero’s humorous poster:   Election year and Smokey the Bear… o o o Telegraph: U.S. Top Country for Gun Ownership, Not Even in Top 10 for Firearm Deaths







Notes for Monday – October 24, 2016

October 24th is the anniversary of the firing squad execution of Norwegian traitor Vidkun Quisling, in 1945. His ignominious place in history was to have his surname become a noun. (“Quisling” is now a moniker synonymous with treason and alliance with an invading army.) Note: Because of the most recent nationwide hack attack, our mail server is presently down. It may be 48 hours before our e-mail service is restored. Thanks for your patience. – JWR




Just In Case: Preparing for the Evening and Day After Election 2016

There is a substantial risk that Hillary “Hitlery” Clinton will become our next President. She is notoriously anti-gun, and has made many promises to her gun-grabbing campaign donors to give “gun control” (read: civilian disarmament) her top priority. Consider the guidance in this article just a contingency. You can simply ignore it, if Donald Trump is elected. (Since he is outspokenly pro-gun.) But if Clinton is indeed elected, then gun, ammunition, and magazine prices will surely start to rise immediately. And by the time she actually takes office, prices might well have already doubled or tripled, and shortages of some …




Economics and Investing:

Tesla, Apple and Uber Push Lithium Prices Even Higher o o o Goldman Sachs Top Lawyer Is Part of a Secret Banking Cabal as CEO Blankfein Denies One Exists o o o Video interview over at Real Clear Politics: Resort Casino magnate Steve Wynn:  Printing Money Degrades Living Standard, Causes Anger; Healthcare Goes Up, Product Doesn’t Get Better o o o SurvivalBlog and its editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for details.




Odds ‘n Sods:

Why is it that nearly every mainstream newspaper, magazine, and web journalist reporting on “preppers” or “survivalists” feels obliged to illustrate it with a picture of someone wearing a gas mask?  (And usually it is a nearly useless and thoroughly obsolete Russian gas mask with a dangling filter canister, not properly stowed in a pouch.)  These cliched images are tiresome, and they only serve to belittle the whole movement. Such images are about as de rigueur as pictures of Steampunk enthusiasts with goggles on their hats.  But at least those folks actually wear them. – JWR o o o Instructables:  …







Notes for Sunday – October 23, 2016

Today is the birthday of French actor Gérard Blain, best known to Americans for his role in the classic African adventure film Hatari, that starred John Wayne. The film’s vehicular big game capture “rodeo” scenes are unforgettable. (They would be considered politically incorrect, these days.) o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 67 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Tactical Self-Contained 2-Series Solar Power Generator system from Always Empowered. This compact starter power system is packaged in a wheeled O.D. green EMP-shielded Pelican hard …




Economics and Investing:

Fortune magazine reports: Apple’s Next Goal Is Killing Paper Money Once and For All. (Thanks to G.G. for the link.) o o o Saudis, China Dump Treasuries; Foreign Central Banks Liquidate A Record $346 Billion In US Paper o o o Michael Pento: Equity Bubble Has Run Out of Excuses and Time o o o SurvivalBlog and its editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for details.